SOURCES SOUGHT FOR CO-BRAND AGREEMENT FOR WATER COOLERS

On behalf of the U.S. AbilityOne Commission (Commission) the independent federal agency that administers the AbilityOne Program, National Industries for the Blind (NIB), a designated central nonprofit agency, is pursuing potential partnerships with U.S. commercial manufacturers of Water Coolers for the purpose of providing employment for people who are blind or severely disabled.  If successful, the result will be the addition of the product(s) to the AbilityOne Procurement List (PL) under a co-brand agreement between the manufacturer and the AbilityOne Program, and its registered brands.

The Water Coolers must meet and/or exceed FAR and other Federal Government published standards, Executive Orders and Federal Agency requirements. 

At a minimum, the following criteria must be met: 

Product Specifications – Insulated Water Coolers

Cooler Sizes:

• Must include both 5-gallon and 10-gallon insulated water coolers.

Compliance:

• The 5-gallon cooler must conform to the Item Purchase Description (IPD) for NSN 7330-01-449-2318.

Material & Durability:

• Constructed from all-plastic, rustproof, high-impact, and lightweight materials.
• Designed to withstand rugged and industrial environments.

Color & Visibility:

• Must be offered in high-visibility colors suitable for use in outdoor and high-traffic work areas.

Handles:

• Equipped with contoured handles that allow for comfortable grip while wearing heavy work gloves.

Insulation:

• Must use polyurethane insulation to ensure optimal cold retention and extended cooling performance.

Spigot:

• Must include a recessed, drip-proof, push-button spigot for hygienic and efficient dispensing.

Lid Design:

• Features a wide-mouth, pressure-fit lid for easy filling and cleaning.
• A keeper cord must be included to prevent lid loss during use or transport.

General Performance & Compliance Requirements

1. Products must meet or exceed all relevant Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) requirements, Executive Orders, and applicable Federal Agency standards.
2. Must conform to industry standards for construction, performance, sustainability, and reliability.
3. Products should be:
   1. Manufactured, lab tested, and customer tested to verify effectiveness and safety.
   2. Accompanied by Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) if applicable.
   3. Certified and documented according to customer-required industry or environmental certifications (e.g., Green Seal, ECOLOGO).

  MANUFACTURER

1. Must possess a nationally or industry-known brand name that can demonstrate significant appeal through evidence of substantial sales.
2. Demonstrate how it will assist the Commission’s authorized nonprofit agency (NPA) to increase blind work hours, while keeping expansion costs to the NPA at a minimum.  Preference will be given to manufacturer(s) who provide the most significant amounts of labor steps in the full manufacturing or significant transformation of the water coolers to an end product.
3. The AbilityOne Program is committed to maximizing domestic manufacturing while creating employment for Americans who are blind or have significant disabilities. In addition to meeting the requirements indicated above, offerors should identify whether the product(s) offered, and the components used to create the product(s), are domestically sourced.  If the product offered or any of its components are not domestically sourced, the offeror shall identify the products or components that are not domestically sourced, identify the country of origin, and explain why the component or product is not domestically sourced (e.g., non-availability). 
4. Willing to deliver bulk materials to the non-profit agency to assure the agency of on-time deliveries to federal government customer(s).
5. Willing to enter into a multi-year agreement to include:
   1. On-going technical and production assistance.
   2. The necessary factory trained technical field support
   3. Enabling the non-profit agency to meet the criteria of the AbilityOne Program to convert material, fill containers, label, assemble and package the products thereby creating employment for people who are blind or severely disabled.
6. Demonstrate a commitment to working with the AbilityOne Program to market the product(s) solicited herein to Government customers. Preference is given to manufacturers who have a dedicated team for Federal Government sales and marketing.
7. Be willing to work with the NPA, NIB, and AbilityOne Commission to ensure that the price to the end-users is a fair and reasonable price.

Manufacturers’ submissions must demonstrate that proposed products meet the criteria listed above, as well as indicate what functions the nonprofit agency’s employees would perform.

The deadline for response is 7/23/2025

The written, electronic responses should be directed to the contact listed in this Notice.

Questions should be directed by email to rhill@nib.org.  The subject line should begin with ‘Question: Sources Sought CP-CP-06-17-25-01 Water Coolers.

Information regarding the Commission can be found at www.abilityone.gov.  Specific information regarding co-brand agreements can be found by navigating the top left corner of the website.  Mouse over Laws, Regulations, and Policy and select Policy Memoranda.  Select Operation Memoranda, then select Memorandum Number 22.